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Equine Research Centre studies stall flooring system
- Paddock Mat® Stall Flooring System for the horse stable -
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Equine Research Centre (Guelph) Inc., Guelph, Ontario, Canada, March 22,
2001: The Equine Research Centre (ERC) announced today that it has
completed research showing that Paddock Mat®, a unique stall flooring
system, has a very positive impact on air quality and stall management in the
stable.
Research results show that while using the Paddock
Mat® system with shavings, as compared to asphalt flooring with shavings,
dust particle numbers present in the Paddock Mat® stall were significantly
lower (see figure).Less bedding was needed to both start and maintain the
stalls when using Paddock Mat®.Despite the reduced amount of bedding used,
similar low levels of ammonia were detected with Paddock Mat® and asphalt
flooring.The resting behaviour of the horses remained the same with both
flooring systems.Data on the resting behaviour gathered through close video
observation of the horses in the study showed that this behaviour remained
unchanged on either flooring material, despite the reduced amount of bedding
used with the Paddock Mat®. "Respiratory health of horses is influenced by the
quality of air they breathe.Choices in bedding materials and flooring systems
greatly impact air quality in the stable.The results of our research show that
the Paddock Mat® system helps to maintain a high level of air quality,
while minimising labour," said Susan Raymond, Research Associate at the
ERC.
"The flooring system provided enough comfort and protection on
its own that the average bedding depth was not needed.Bedding was used solely
to soak up urine.I feel that the Paddock Mat® system is suitable for every
horse," added Wendy Driscoll, Research Facility Manager at the ERC.
The Equine Research Centre (Guelph) Inc. is a non-profit
corporation dedicated to improving the health of all horses through research
and education. In response to the horse sport industry directives, the ERC
currently focuses its research on respiratory health, reproduction, nutrition
and colic prevention, orthopaedics, nuclear medicine as well as nutraceuticals
and medicinal herbs. All ERC research is minimally-invasive.
Promat Ltd. is based in Seaforth, Ontario, Canada and
has gained its animal comfort expertise through the dairy cow industry.Promat
Ltd. is the inventor and manufacturer of the well-known Pasture Mat® for
dairy cows.Promat Ltd. is currently looking for dealers to carry the Paddock
Mat® stall flooring products.
For further information,
please contact:
Susan Raymond, Research Associate
The Equine Research Centre (Guelph)
Inc.
(519) 837-0061
email: slraymon@uoguelph.ca
www.erc.on.ca,www.equinecanada.com
For further product
information, please contact:
Glenn Hines or Nancy Hines
Promat Ltd.
(519) 527-2284
email: hines07@attglobal.net
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